Bryan-MBS4

Washed the S4 this past weekend and discovered that both mirror housings and the trim piece at the rear deck lid have some sort of blotchy discoloration. It's not on the chrome nor on the wheels. I'm in CO and the only thing I can come up with is that there is some sort of reaction/corrosion associated with the magnesium chloride used on the roads to prevent freezing.

I washed the car, noticed the blotches then used an auto specific metal cleaner. The cleaner took off the road grim but the blotches are essentially smooth (especially on the mirrors) with the surface of the mirror or trim.

Thoughts?

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/69127/mirror_1.jpg">

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/69127/mirror_2.jpg">

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/69127/trim_1.jpg">

RKA

but I would agree with your guess...the MgCl probably did it.

Can you get your hands on some of that stuff, make a solution of it, and test it on the mirrors? (they appear to be trashed already) At least you can confirm your theory before you take it back to Audi.

owneds4

Still a nice ride though

Bergx7

its a little white and red container, in paste form. Think it is called "mag and aluminum polish" or something. worth a try

Bryan-MBS4

All Metal Restorer which cleaned the mirrors/trim very well. Maybe a different product will have better results.

sammysam

If a clay bar doesnt solve the problem I would contact your dealer and try to get them to replace the peices....especially if it only affected those two areas.

DrGP

Reported for mid-late 04 builds,the metal mirrors were replaced with plastic "chrome like" mirrors. Yours look like the real metal variety. BTW the plastic chrome type look very much like the metal mirrors, so be careful when polishing your mirrors, check that they ARE metal!

Reg Dunlop

Klasse All-In-One took care of those spots. Yours look a little more severe than what I had, but mine didn't come off with metal polish either. One pass with the PC armed with AIO on a polishing pad, and it was fixed. Maybe give it a try?

Good luck.

sayemthree

looks like water spots? try water spot remover - from a boat/marine supply store.

RKA

Go to your local Harley Davidson shop, and pick up a tube of P21S Multi Finish Surface Restorer. This stuff works like magic, especially on metal surfaces. Just a tiny dab, rub it around the blemish, and wipe it off.